During the TERMIS European Chapter Meeting 2017 (Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society) in Davos, Switzerland, the Society for Biohydrogels organized 2 symposia, covering both chemical and biological aspects of the design of biohydrogels in Regenerative Medicine.

In March 2015, a workshop dedicated to Biohydrogels was held at the University of Nantes (France), with the aim of establishing the Society for Biohydrogels. About 100 people (from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Portugual, Serbia, UK and Switzerland) attended this meeting and the inaugural business meeting chaired by Prof. Pierre Weiss. Statutes, detailing the incorporation of the Society for Biohydrogels, were discussed and agreed, Article by Article. The Statutes, signed by Prof. Pierre Weiss and Dr. Catherine Le Visage, assured the formal foundation of the Society on March 6, 2015.

The 1st Biohydrogel meeting was organized by Prof. Rolando Barbucci in 2007 in Viareggio (Italy), followed by 2 other meetings in 2009 and 2011 in Florence (Italy). Scientists who attended these meetings expressed their interest in the formation of a formal Society that would bring together researchers from academia, industry and medical professions, involved in the field of biohydrogels, to promote and develop scientific exchanges and to create an interdisciplinary network.

The Board of Directors was elected by the inaugural General Assembly, and the Executive Committee was elected by the Board of Directors.

The Society is hearquartered at the University of Nantes (France).

Boards of Directors

Executive Committee

Rachel AUZELY (France)

Thibaud CORADIN (France)

Andrew DOVE (UK)

Christine LE MAITRE (UK)

Secretary

Catherine LE VISAGE (France)

Treasurer

João MANO (Portugal)

Pietro MATRICARDI (Italy)

Alexandra MONTEMBAULT (France)

Alberto SAIANI (UK)

Vice-President

Pierre WEISS (France)

President

Marcy ZENOBI-WONG (Switzerland)

The Society aims to encourage, foster, promote and develop research, advancement, education, training, and dissemination of information on the science of biohydrogels, defined as hydrogels developed in the fields of life and pharmaceutical sciences, health, and regenerative medicine, including tissue engineering, assisted cell therapy, or release of active molecules to regenerate tissue, and to bring together researchers from academia, industry and medical professions, involved in the field of biohydrogels, to promote and develop scientific exchanges and to create an interdisciplinary network.

- bring together scientists from academia, industry and hospital, involved in the field of biohydrogels, to promote and develop scientific exchanges between them - create links between the fields of chemistry and physical chemistry of macromolecular networks and areas of materials for health and regenerative medicine and to share scientific knowledge in these fields. - provide support to characterization, evaluation and improvement of biohydrogels. - communicate at annual conferences, workshops or during specific actions, or with publications in scientific, clinical or mainstream journals, or by means of a website that could provide training for students and practitioners. - organize, participate in the organization or subsidize meetings or scientific conferences on these topics. - participate in initial and continuing training (or further education) of students and researchers through the implementation of workshops. - explore and encourage cooperation with other national and international associations, with similar or related interests, to co-organize events.